For more than 30 years, the employees and physicians of Civista Medical Center have prepared dozens of baskets of canned and boxed food for donation during Thanksgiving week.

Each department, individually or with other departments, decorates and fills containers with food, often including turkeys, or gift certificates for local individuals or organizations in need.

This year, in addition to making food baskets, employees collected school supplies for local children.

This year, food baskets were given to Wayside Food Bank, and the school supplies were given to the Charles County Children's Aid Society.

On Nov. 19, Civista's medical staff hospital committee, under the direction of Dr. Guillermo Sanchez, held a special event in which the baskets were presented to Joanne Martin, president of the Wayside Food Bank, and Diana Camann, board member of Children's Aid.

The La Plata High School chamber choir performed, as they have for several years, and departments cited reasons to be thankful as part of the event.

Previous recipients of the Thanksgiving baskets have been Catholic Charities, church families in need, local homeless shelters and military families.

Andrews Federal provides support for Sandy victims

Andrews Federal Credit Union recently held a food drive at each of its branch locations and its headquarters to assist Superstorm Sandy victims.

In addition to food items, donations included blankets, clothing, juice, water and grocery gift cards.

“We know that natural disasters can leave families in an uncomfortable place. Superstorm Sandy certainly left an enormous impact on our communities, which is why Andrews Federal readily assisted the physical and financial needs of those affected by the storm,” said Jim Hayes, interim CEO, in a news release.

Andrews Federal was founded in 1948 to serve the needs of military and civilian personnel.

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